How to Prepare and Cook Morel Mushrooms

Spring is morel mushroom time. These delicacies only come around once a year and whether you hunt them yourself or buy them, they are delicious.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Skillet
• Oil or butter
• Paper towels
• Salt & pepper
• Egg
• Flour

1. Since morels come directly out of the woods they come with bugs and little critters. Its easy to take care of this with some salt water. Start with slicing each morel into two pieces long ways. Place in medium to large bowl depending on amount you have. Add approximately 1/8 to 1/4 cup salt and cover morels with water. Cover and let set in refrigerator several hours or overnight.

2. Its best to change the salt water daily if you do not plan to eat them the next day. Its also best to use them within 2-3 days or they will become mushy and can spoil.

3. When you are ready to cook them, drain the salt water and rinse each piece under running water. If you are not squeamish about a few bugs, then you can be less particular about rinsing.

4. Next, lay rinsed morels on paper towels to soak up excess water. Prepare your skillet with oil or butter. Use enough oil or butter so they don't stick but not so much they drown. The idea is to fry, not deep fry. Morels can be deep-fried but some of the flavor seems to be lost with this method.

5. Dip mushrooms in flour and fry. You can also dip in egg first and then flour. Either method is fine. Experiment with both and see which you prefer. Fry until crispy but not completely hard. Salt and pepper to taste. Drain on paper towel and enjoy.

Tips & Warnings

• Morels are also great with scrambled eggs. Scramble eggs in the same skillet as the morels using the remaining dripping. Crumble a few of the cooked morels into the eggs just before they are done.
• Morels can be frozen for later use. After you have rinsed and let them drain on paper towel, dip them in flour and lay on cookie sheet. Put in freezer until frozen and store in zip lock baggie. Do not defrost when you are ready to use them.

Resources

• How To Hunt Morel Mushrooms

[johnrapp]

on 5/19/2009 i've heard it told that morel mushrooms are really good, especially if you know how to prepare and cook morel mushrooms. so i say this gets 5 stars!

[autumn1234567]

on 5/18/2009 I didn't know these mushrooms were seasonal so I've always bought the dry variety. I'll have to look for them fresh now! 5*

[ReuseItAll]

on 5/18/2009 Sounds yummy! I am a mushroom lover and have even gone and picked mushrooms in our area and cooked them!! Great recipe and advice for using morel mushrooms! Thanks!

[izzytellsall]

on 4/27/2009 Yummy! I can't wait to cook some morel mushrooms--thanks for the inspiration and how to.

[jmcgeough]

on 4/26/2009 I really love your writing.. You write fascinating articles on really interesting topics.